Nixon cherishes winning football honor in Arkansas

When Jamal Nixon graduated from Ellender High in 2008, he was considered one of the best football and basketball players in south Louisiana. Now he's earning the same reputation in Arkansas.

Chris SingletonStaff Writer

When Jamal Nixon graduated from Ellender High in 2008, he was considered one of the best football and basketball players in south Louisiana. Now he's earning the same reputation in Arkansas.Nixon, a junior receiver on the University of Arkansas-Monticello football team, was named the Little Rock Touchdown Club's Most Valuable Player of his team for the 2012 season during a banquet held on Feb. 1 in Little Rock, Ark.The banquet honored players from each of the 11 football-playing colleges and universities in Arkansas.Nixon, who also is playing college basketball at Arkansas-Monticello this season, said being honored as one of the best college football players in Arkansas was a special accomplishment. "I felt very accomplished to be chosen from amongst my teammates for this great award," Nixon said. "Attending the banquet was a great experience. I was honored to be amongst some of the greatest players in Arkansas."In his junior season at Arkansas-Monticello, Nixon recorded 59 receptions for 771 yards and five touchdowns. He ranked second overall in the Great American Conference in receiving yards (771), third in yards per game (77.1) and fourth in receptions per game (5.9). He was named to the All-Great American Conference team as an honorable mention selection. During his two-year career at Arkansas-Monticello, Nixon has totaled 89 receptions for 1,227 yards and seven touchdowns. As he prepares for his senior year, Nixon said winning the award has inspired him to work harder."Every year great athletes want to be better than their previous season, and I am the same way," Nixon said. "I always push myself to be better every day, and this season I stepped up and made plays when my team needed me too. Now that I have achieved this milestone of my career, I feel more motivated to keep pursing and working hard to achieve an even greater honor. I have big plans for me and my teams' future."Nixon said his success in football opened the door for him to play college basketball with the Boll Weevils this season. Nixon was also a two-sport athlete at Ellender, where he earned all-state and all-region honors in football and basketball. He was a part of Ellender's 2007 Class 5A boys state runner-up basketball team, and he helped lead the Patriots football team to the playoffs as a senior in 2008. While he admitted it is difficult to be a two-sport athlete in college, Nixon said it was his dream to do both."I have always enjoyed the game of basketball, so when the opportunity came for me to play I took it," he said. "Opportunities don't come every day. It's hard, but I strive to succeed in all that I do. I have to keep my mind on the task at hand and always work hard, whether on the football field, on the basketball court or in the classroom."Nixon, a 6-foot, 213-pound guard, leads the Boll Weevils basketball team in steals (2.0 per game) and is fourth in scoring (6.4 points per game) and third in assists (1.9). As one of the team's key defensive players, Nixon said he wants to help guide the Boll Weevils (13-8 overall, 8-7 in conference) to a GAC conference title. "We want to win, and we are working hard every day to get better," Nixon said. "Our conference is tough, but when we play together, I don't feel we can be beaten. When the conference tournament comes around, we will be the team to beat."Former Ellender basketball coach Scott Gauthreaux, who coached Nixon during his prep days, said he is proud to see one of his former players represent Ellender and Houma on the collegiate level. "He did some real good things at Ellender when he was there," Gauthreaux said. "It doesn't surprise me that he's having success in college. It was very fun to watch him play football and basketball, and now he's getting an opportunity to do both at the collegiate level. That's definitely takes a lot of hard work and dedication. He's done a good job. I'm definitely proud of him."Although he is busy playing two sports in college, Nixon said he keeps in touch with family and friends. He said their support inspires him to improve every day."I really appreciate all the love and support from back home," Nixon said. "There's nothing like being looked up to and loved by people from where you came from. It's really like another accomplishment to me."

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